Navratri is one of the most popular festival in India. Navratri is celebrated for nine days to honor the Goddess Durga and her nine forms, or Navadurga, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the divine feminine energy (Shakti). The nine days are considered a time for self-discipline, deep reflection, emotional growth, and seeking spiritual enlightenment. People enjoy the festival in different ways. While few enjoy with Dandiya or playing Garba. Few like to keep fast for 9 days. The fasting considered to be important to honor Goddess Durga. In midst of the festival celebration the atmosphere around my village gets very energetic and spiritual. We can feel the festival in air.
Observing Navratri fast is considered good because it provides spiritual purification and physical detoxification, fostering self-discipline, mental clarity, and inner peace while also boosting the immune system. During the 9 days the devotees abstain themselves from eating any food. They strictly remain on fruit diet. Today is the 7 days of fasting. The most testing phase as get nearer to the 9th days. The closer one gets to a 9th days, the more aware they become of time passing and this made them losing their patience. The thought food and different dishes start to get over the mind. But the one who manage to keep the focu on their worship is the true winner. This is why the 9 days is quite testing for all those who get into the fasting.
Fasting helps the body eliminate accumulated toxins and impurities, leading to a natural detoxification process that improves overall health. The body gets lighter, and the mind gets more focussed. While many see this as weakening of body but the internal body mechanism system too needs some rest to function properly. And this 9 days serves a perfect occasion. Abstaining the body from salt and heavy diet give them enough space to improve and function properly. It is not easy as many people start losing hope. In begining it appears easy but with time, the body starts to show some.sign of weakness. Especially when some one pinpoints at you, then you start feeling more weaker. My mom kept bothering about my well-being during these days. If I drive or go for walk, she feels that something will happen to me. But so far, my body is ready to deal with any such stress or physical activities.
This is one of the festival, which people enjoy with full enthusiasm and devotion. The period also brings about a season change and observing fasting allow the body to adapt to the the new changes easily. The weather during Navratri is pleasant because the festival is celebrated at the time of the changing seasons, when summer or winter are not at their peak, but rather a pleasant intermediate season. This seasonal change symbolizes the joy and new life in nature.
In good faith - Peace!!
